Mitcham, 24, made his splash—literally and figuratively at the Beijing Summer Olympics, taking the gold for his native Australia and becoming the first diver to ever score perfect tens from all four judges.

While he appeared comfortable being thrust in the spotlight—both as an athlete and a gay role model—few knew of the personal demons that had led Mitcham to quit diving just two years before his return at the 2012 Games, where he failed to place.

He writes:

“People kept remarking on how they were surprised that a gold medal and fame hadn’t changed me. I always responded, ‘Why would I change? Being me is the easiest person to be.’ I was lying. It wasn’t.”

In Twists and Turns, Mitcham discusses being hampered by serious injuries and crippling self-doubt, as well as the drive that keeps him going, in and out of the pool.